&#34;Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus with Thermal Imaging Capabilities&#34;

ABSTRACT

An improved safety device for a self-contained breathing apparatus, and an improved self-contained breathing apparatus having thermal imaging capabilities.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/150,055, filed on Apr. 20, 2015, entitled “Safety Device for aSelf-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Arrangement,” the entirecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to self-contained breathing apparatus,and more specifically, a self-contained breathing apparatus with asafety device, e.g., a personal alert safety system.

2. Description of Related Art

As is known in the art, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) isused in a variety of situations and environments where a user requiresbreathing air, e.g., firefighting situations, low- or no-airenvironments, emergency applications, and/or the like. One such SCBA isshown and described in the Operating Manual—G1 SCBA of MSA (which isincorporated herein by reference, and a copy of which may be found atthe following link:http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/minesafetyappliances/Operating_Manual_G1_SCBA_NFPA_CBRN_10158406).

One known SCBA is illustrated in schematic form in FIG. 1. As can beseen, the SCBA includes at least one air cylinder (AC) that is filledwith compressed air for delivery to a mask (M), which is donned by auser prior to entering the affected situation or environment. Inparticular, the air from the air cylinder (AC) is regulated by a firstregulator module (RM1) and delivered through an air hose (AH) to acontrol module (CM) and a second regulator module (RM2) connectable tothe mask (M). In this manner, regulated air is supplied to the internalarea of the mask (M) for consumption by the user.

Currently, the control module (CM) includes, is integrated with, or isassociated with a processor (P), which is programmed or configured todirectly or indirectly communicate with and/or control one or more ofthe components of the SCBA. A power device (PD) is provided to providepower to one or more of the components of the SCBA. Further, datacommunications and/or electrical power may be distributed to or throughthe components of the SCBA using a power/communication line (CL). Inaddition, a communication device (CD), such as a short-range and/or longrange radio device, is included and is in direct or indirectcommunication with the processor (P), and this communication device (CD)is programmed or configured to facilitate direct and/or indirect, wiredand/or wireless data communications.

Also included in this known SCBA is a safety device (SD), which may bereferred to as a personal alert safety system (PASS), a distress signalunit (DSU), an automatic distress signal unit (ADSU), or the like. Thissafety device (SD) is used to alert the first responder/firefighter asto the status of their SCBA. Generally, the safety device (SD) providesvisual, aural, and/or tactile information regarding the pressure in theair cylinder (AC), available time based upon current usage, alarmswarning about low pressure conditions, leaks, and/or other errors orfaults in the system. One primary function of the safety device (SD) isentry into an alarm state when the user has not moved for a set periodof time. This situation may be considered a “man-down” alarm. Varioussystems have been used to determine such a “man-down” condition, suchthat one or more motion sensors, e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes,rotational sensors, and/or the like, can be integrated or associatedwith the safety device (SD), such that the “man-down” condition may bedetermined based upon the motion data provided by or derived from themotion sensors.

In certain applications, e.g., firefighting, the user may also carry aseparate portable thermal imaging camera, which allows the user toascertain the infrared signature of the scene. These units are designedto create an image on an LCD/LED screen to show the user features thatare normally not visible to the naked eye, such as “hot spots” behindwalls or closed doors, an image of the fire scene that may be obscuredby smoke or haze (thereby preventing the scene from being viewed in thevisual part of the light wavelength spectrum), and/or the like. In use,the user must first find the separate thermal imaging camera on his/herperson (and amongst all of the other equipment that is being worn) inthe smoky, hazy, and emergency environment.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved SCBA and animproved safety device having thermal imaging capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention provides an improved safety device andan improved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Preferably, thepresent invention provides an improved safety device and an improvedSCBA that combines or integrates features of a safety (e.g., alarm)device and a thermal imaging camera.

According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,provided is a safety device for a self-contained breathing apparatushaving at least one air cylinder configured to deliver regulated airthrough an air hose via a first regulator module; and a mask configuredto be worn by a user, the mask having a second regulator moduleconfigured to deliver air from an air hose to an internal area of themask, the safety device comprising: an air pressure gauge configured toindicate air pressure information or data to the user; a thermal imagingunit comprising: (i) at least one lens having a field-of-view; and (ii)at least one thermal sensor configured to output signals representativeof thermal energy; and a user interface programmed or configured todisplay information or data to the user; wherein at least one local orremote processor is programmed or configured to directly or indirectlycommunicate with and/or control at least one of the following: the airpressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the user interface, or anycombination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises at least one alarm system programmed orconfigured to generate alarm data based upon input data from at leastone of the following: at least one component of the self-containedbreathing apparatus, at least one component of the safety device, or anycombination thereof. In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment oraspect, the at least one alarm system comprises at least one alarmmember comprising at least one of the following: a structural elementconfigured to receive input from at least one user to generate alarmdata; a lighting element configured to provide visual alarm data to theat least one user when in an alarm mode, a speaker element configured toprovide aural alarm data to the at least one user when in alarm mode, orany combination thereof. In another preferred and non-limitingembodiment or aspect, the safety device further comprises at least onemotion sensor programmed or configured to generate motion data, wherein,based at least partially on the motion data, the at least one alarmsystem at least one of enters an alarm mode and generates alarm data. Inanother preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, based at leastpartially on the output signals from the thermal imaging unit, the atleast one alarm system at least one of enters an alarm mode andgenerates alarm data.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises at least one infrared light emitting memberconfigured to emit infrared light, which may be received or sensed byanother safety device. In another preferred and non-limiting embodimentor aspect, the infrared light is emitted in at least one of thefollowing: a strobe pattern, a specified pattern, a configurablepattern, a user-controlled pattern, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises at least one control element programmed orconfigured to facilitate direct or indirect interaction with or controlof at least one component of the safety device.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises at least one communication interface programmedor configured to transmit, receive, and/or process at signals in atleast one of the following manners: directly, indirectly, wirelessly,over a communication line, or any combination thereof. In anotherpreferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least oneprocessor is local to the safety device and programmed or configured toprocess and transmit, via the at least one communication interface, atleast one of the following: thermal imaging data, alarm data, alarm modedata, motion data, safety device data, user data, or any combinationthereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises a housing having at least one wall or rim atleast partially surrounding at least one of the following: the airpressure gauge, the user interface, at least one control elementprogrammed or configured to facilitate direct or indirect interactionwith or control of at least one component of the safety device, or anycombination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least onelens is oriented in a direction substantially parallel with alongitudinal length of a housing of the safety device.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least onelens is oriented in a direction of ±X° along a horizontal planeextending through a longitudinal length of a housing of the safetydevice, wherein X is in the range of about 0 to about 45.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the orientationof the at least one lens is at least one of the following: manuallyadjustable by the user, automatically adjustable, automaticallyadjustable using the user interface, automatically adjustable using atleast one control element, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least onelens is adjustable in a direction of ±Y° along a vertical planeextending through a longitudinal length of a housing of the safetydevice, wherein Y is in the range of about 0 to about 90.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice further comprises a housing having at least one shield configuredto at least partially surround the at least one lens.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the informationor data displayed on the user interface can be modified by at least oneof the following: the user's movement of the safety device, the user'svoice command, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least oneprocessor is programmed or configured to initiate at least one of ano-power or low-power state based at least partially on at least one ofthe following: a specified movement of the user, a voice command of theuser, a specified orientation of the safety device, a specified periodof a specified orientation, a specified period of non-use ornon-interaction, a specified period of non-use or non-interaction of aspecified component of the safety device, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least oneprocessor is programmed or configured to initiate a power-on or power-upstate based at least partially on at least one of the following: aspecified movement of the user, a voice command of the user, a specifiedorientation of the safety device, a specified period of a specifiedorientation, use of or interaction with the safety device, use of orinteraction with a specified component of the safety device, or anycombination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least oneprocesser comprises at least one of the following: an existing processorof the safety device, an existing processor of the thermal imaging unit,a remote processor in direct or indirect communication with the safetydevice, an existing processor of at least one component of theself-contained breathing apparatus, an existing processor of a controlmodule of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,provided is a self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising: at leastone air cylinder configured to deliver regulated air through an air hosevia a first regulator module; a mask configured to be worn by a user,the mask having a second regulator module configured to deliver air froman air hose to an internal area of the mask; a control module,including: (i) a power device configured to provide power to at leastone component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; (ii) aprocessor programmed or configured to communicate with and/or control atleast one component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; and (iii)a communication device programmed or configured to facilitate directand/or indirect, wired and/or wireless data communications between theprocessor and the at least one component of the self-contained breathingapparatus; and a safety device comprising: an air pressure gaugeconfigured to indicate air pressure information or data to the user; athermal imaging unit comprising: (i) at least one lens having afield-of-view; and (ii) at least one thermal sensor configured to outputsignals representative of thermal energy; and a user interfacepositioned on a housing of the safety device and programmed orconfigured to display information or data to the user; wherein at leastone local or remote processor is programmed or configured to directly orindirectly communicate with and/or control at least one of thefollowing: the air pressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the userinterface, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least onelocal or remote processor comprises the processor of the control module,and wherein the processor of the control module communicates with orcontrols at least one component of the safety device.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least onecomponent of the safety device is powered by the power device of thecontrol module.

Further preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspects will now bedescribed in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1: A safety device for a self-contained breathing apparatushaving at least one air cylinder configured to deliver regulated airthrough an air hose via a first regulator module; and a mask configuredto be worn by a user, the mask having a second regulator moduleconfigured to deliver air from an air hose to an internal area of themask, the safety device comprising: an air pressure gauge configured toindicate air pressure information or data to the user; a thermal imagingunit comprising: (i) at least one lens having a field-of-view; and (ii)at least one thermal sensor configured to output signals representativeof thermal energy; and a user interface programmed or configured todisplay information or data to the user; wherein at least one local orremote processor is programmed or configured to directly or indirectlycommunicate with and/or control at least one of the following: the airpressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the user interface, or anycombination thereof.

Clause 2: The safety device of clause 1, further comprising at least onealarm system programmed or configured to generate alarm data based uponinput data from at least one of the following: at least one component ofthe self-contained breathing apparatus, at least one component of thesafety device, or any combination thereof.

Clause 3: The safety device of clause 2 or 3, wherein the at least onealarm system comprises at least one alarm member comprising at least oneof the following: a structural element configured to receive input fromat least one user to generate alarm data; a lighting element configuredto provide visual alarm data to the at least one user when in an alarmmode, a speaker element configured to provide aural alarm data to the atleast one user when in alarm mode, or any combination thereof.

Clause 4: The safety device of any of clauses 1-3, further comprising atleast one motion sensor programmed or configured to generate motiondata, wherein, based at least partially on the motion data, the at leastone alarm system at least one of enters an alarm mode and generatesalarm data.

Clause 5: The safety device of any of clauses 1-4, wherein, based atleast partially on the output signals from the thermal imaging unit, theat least one alarm system at least one of enters an alarm mode andgenerates alarm data.

Clause 6: The safety device of any of clauses 1-5, further comprising atleast one infrared light emitting member configured to emit infraredlight, which may be received or sensed by another safety device.

Clause 7: The safety device of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the infraredlight is emitted in at least one of the following: a strobe pattern, aspecified pattern, a configurable pattern, a user-controlled pattern, orany combination thereof.

Clause 8: The safety device of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising atleast one control element programmed or configured to facilitate director indirect interaction with or control of at least one component of thesafety device.

Clause 9: The safety device of any of clauses 1-8, further comprising atleast one communication interface programmed or configured to transmit,receive, and/or process signals in at least one of the followingmanners: directly, indirectly, wirelessly, over a communication line, orany combination thereof.

Clause 10: The safety device of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the at leastone processor is local to the safety device and programmed or configuredto process and transmit, via the at least one communication interface,at least one of the following: thermal imaging data, alarm data, alarmmode data, motion data, safety device data, user data, or anycombination thereof.

Clause 11: The safety device of any of clauses 1-10, further comprisinga housing having at least one wall or rim at least partially surroundingat least one of the following: the air pressure gauge, the userinterface, at least one control element programmed or configured tofacilitate direct or indirect interaction with or control of at leastone component of the safety device, or any combination thereof.

Clause 12: The safety device of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the atleast one lens is oriented in a direction substantially parallel with alongitudinal length of a housing of the safety device.

Clause 13: The safety device of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the atleast one lens is oriented in a direction of ±X° along a horizontalplane extending through a longitudinal length of a housing of the safetydevice, wherein X is in the range of about 0 to about 45.

Clause 14: The safety device of any of clauses 1-13, wherein theorientation of the at least one lens is at least one of the following:manually adjustable by the user, automatically adjustable, automaticallyadjustable using the user interface, automatically adjustable using atleast one control element, or any combination thereof.

Clause 15: The safety device of any of clauses 1-14, wherein the atleast one lens is adjustable in a direction of ±Y° along a verticalplane extending through a longitudinal length of a housing of the safetydevice, wherein Y is in the range of about 0 to about 90.

Clause 16: The safety device of any of clauses 1-15, further comprisinga housing having at least one shield configured to at least partiallysurround the at least one lens.

Clause 17: The safety device of any of clauses 1-16, wherein theinformation or data displayed on the user interface can be modified byat least one of the following: the user's movement of the safety device,the user's voice command, or any combination thereof.

Clause 18: The safety device of any of clauses 1-17, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed or configured to initiate at least oneof a no-power or low-power state based at least partially on at leastone of the following: a specified movement of the user, a voice commandof the user, a specified orientation of the safety device, a specifiedperiod of a specified orientation, a specified period of non-use ornon-interaction, a specified period of non-use or non-interaction of aspecified component of the safety device, or any combination thereof.

Clause 19: The safety device of any of clauses 1-18, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed or configured to initiate a power-onor power-up state based at least partially on at least one of thefollowing: a specified movement of the user, a voice command of theuser, a specified orientation of the safety device, a specified periodof a specified orientation, use of or interaction with the safetydevice, use of or interaction with a specified component of the safetydevice, or any combination thereof.

Clause 20: The safety device of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the atleast one processer comprises at least one of the following: an existingprocessor of the safety device, an existing processor of the thermalimaging unit, a remote processor in direct or indirect communicationwith the safety device, an existing processor of at least one componentof the self-contained breathing apparatus, an existing processor of acontrol module of the self-contained breathing apparatus.

Clause 21: A self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising: at leastone air cylinder configured to deliver regulated air through an air hosevia a first regulator module; a mask configured to be worn by a user,the mask having a second regulator module configured to deliver air froman air hose to an internal area of the mask; a control module,including: (i) a power device configured to provide power to at leastone component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; (ii) aprocessor programmed or configured to communicate with and/or control atleast one component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; and (iii)a communication device programmed or configured to facilitate directand/or indirect, wired and/or wireless data communications between theprocessor and the at least one component of the self-contained breathingapparatus; and a safety device comprising: an air pressure gaugeconfigured to indicate air pressure information or data to the user; athermal imaging unit comprising: (i) at least one lens having afield-of-view; and (ii) at least one thermal sensor configured to outputsignals representative of thermal energy; and a user interfacepositioned on a housing of the safety device and programmed orconfigured to display information or data to the user; wherein at leastone local or remote processor is programmed or configured to directly orindirectly communicate with and/or control at least one of thefollowing: the air pressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the userinterface, or any combination thereof.

Clause 22: The self-contained breathing apparatus of clause 21, whereinthe at least one local or remote processor comprises the processor ofthe control module, and wherein the processor of the control modulecommunicates with or controls at least one component of the safetydevice.

Clause 23: The self-contained breathing apparatus of clause 21 or 22,wherein at least one component of the safety device is powered by thepower device of the control module.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an existing self-contained breathingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a safety device for aself-contained breathing apparatus according to the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a safety devicefor an a self-contained breathing apparatus according to the principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a safetydevice for an a self-contained breathing apparatus according to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-12 are isometric and cross sectional views of a furtherembodiment of a safety device for a self-contained breathing apparatusaccording to the principles of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13-20 are isometric and cross sectional views of a still furtherembodiment of a safety device for a self-contained breathing apparatusaccording to the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention may assume various alternative variations and stepsequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is alsoto be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated inthe attached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” refer to thereceipt, transmission, or transfer of one or more signals, messages,commands, or other type of data. For one unit or device to be incommunication with another unit or device means that the one unit ordevice is able to receive data from and/or transmit data to the otherunit or device. A communication may use a direct or indirect connection,and may be wired and/or wireless in nature. Additionally, two units ordevices may be in communication with each other even though the datatransmitted may be modified, processed, routed, etc., between the firstand second unit or device. For example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit even though the first unit passivelyreceives data, and does not actively transmit data to the second unit.As another example, a first unit may be in communication with a secondunit if an intermediary unit processes data from one unit and transmitsprocessed data to the second unit. It will be appreciated that numerousother arrangements are possible. Any known electronic communicationprotocols and/or algorithms may be used such as, for example, TCP/IP(including HTTP and other protocols), WLAN (including 802.11 and otherradio frequency-based protocols and methods), analog transmissions,and/or the like

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and asillustrated in schematic form in FIG. 2, provided is safety device 10that can be used in connection and/or integrated with a self-containedbreathing apparatus (SCBA), such as the SCBA discussed above andillustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in the preferred and non-limitingembodiment or aspect of FIG. 2, the safety device 10 includes an airpressure gauge 12 configured to indicate air pressure information ordata to the user, such as the air pressure (or “air level”) in the aircylinder (AC). The air pressure is determined by connecting the air hose(AH) to the safety device 10, either directly or indirectly from the aircylinder (AC) and/or a fitting on the control module (CM). In thismanner, the safety device 10 receives or determines the air pressure inthe air cylinder (AC) and displays this information to the user,preferably on the air pressure gauge 12.

Further, and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,the safety device 10 includes a user interface 14 (e.g., a LCD screen, aLED screen, an interactive screen, a touch screen, a display mechanism,a display device, and/or the like) programmed or configured to displayinformation or data to the user. This user interface may be positionedin a variety of locations or positions on a housing 26 of the safetydevice 10.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice 10 includes a thermal imaging unit 20 having at least one lens 21with a field-of-view 22 and at least one thermal sensor 23 configured tooutput signals representative of thermal energy. Accordingly, thesignals output from the thermal sensor 23 can be used to generatethermal imaging data for display on the user interface 14. As is known,this thermal imaging data provides a color (or other graphical element)based image of the thermal energy in the field-of-view 22. The at leastone thermal sensor may include or be in the form of at least one of thefollowing: at least one array, at least one focal plane array, at leastone pixel array, at least one thermal imaging sensor, at least onethermocouple, at least one thermal image device, at least one thermalimaging unit, at least one temperature sensor, or any combinationthereof.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, at least onelocal or remote processor 24 (e.g., a computer, a computing device, aPLC, a circuit, and/or the like) is provided and programmed orconfigured to directly or indirectly communicate with and/or control atleast one of the following: the air pressure gauge 12, the userinterface 14, the thermal imaging unit 20, or any combination thereof.In particular, with continued reference to FIG. 2, and in one preferredand non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the processor 24 may be locatedin the safety device 10 (i.e., a “local” processor), and in anotherpreferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the processor 24 may belocated remotely from the safety device 10, such as by using theprocessor (P) of the control module (CM) communicating over thepower/communication line (CL) (or alternatively, communicatingwirelessly with the control module (CM), or even wirelessly with somecentral unit or processor). Further, and in another preferred andnon-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least one processer 24includes or is in the form of: an existing processor of the safetydevice 10 (e.g., the existing processor of an alarm/safety device withwhich the thermal imaging unit 20 is integrated), an existing processorof the thermal imaging unit 20 (e.g., an existing processor includedwith the at least one thermal sensor 23 and at least one lens 21 as apre-packaged unit), a remote processor in direct or indirectcommunication with the safety device 10, an existing processor of atleast one component of the SCBA, an existing processor (P) of thecontrol module (CM) of the SCBA, and/or the like.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice 10 includes or is in the form of at least one alarm system 18,which is programmed or configured to generate alarm data based uponinput data from at least one component of the SCBA and/or at least onecomponent of the safety device 10. Accordingly, the at least one alarmsystem 18 is controlled by or integrated with the processor 24 (orprocessor (P)). In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,the alarm system 18 includes one or more alarm members 28, which may bein the form of one or more of the following: a structural element thatcan be actuated or engaged by the user to generate alarm data (e.g., avisual alarm, an aural alarm, a tactile alarm, a transmittal of at leasta portion of the alarm data, and/or the like); a lighting element thatprovides visual alarm data to the user when in alarm mode; a speakerelement that provides aural alarm data and/or signals to another device,e.g., a device in the mask (M) of the user, or any combination thereof.

In addition, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, the alarm system 18(and/or the processor 24 or processor (P)) may include or be in director indirect communication with at least one motion sensor 29, whichprovides or generates motion data that may be used to generate ordetermine alarm data. This motion data and/or alarm data can be used toplace the safety device 10 in alarm mode, and further, this motion dataand/or alarm data can be transmitted to the control module (CM), suchthat the communication device (CD) of the control module (CM) cantransmit the information or data to a remote unit, such as a centralcontroller, e.g., central command at an incident scene. It is envisionedthat the motion sensor 29 may be a rotational sensor, an accelerometer,a gyroscope, and/or the like. Further, it is this motion sensor 29 thatcan be used to sense or determine a “man-down” situation, where thealarm system 18 can generate the appropriate alarm data for use in anotification function or a rescue operation.

Similarly, the safety device 10 and/or the alarm system 18 can enteralarm mode (or generate alarm data) based at least partially on theoutput signals (and/or thermal imaging data) generated by or based uponthe thermal imaging unit 20. For example, the output signals or thermalimaging data can be used to determine that the user is too close to orabout to enter an extreme temperature environment. The determination oftemperature intensity (which is based upon a determination of thermalenergy associated with certain pixels or areas in the field-of-view 22)may be used to enter alarm mode, such as where the determined value isabove a specified threshold. Further, this information and data may beperiodically or automatically transmitted to some remote processor,e.g., a central processor or controller. In one preferred andnon-limiting embodiment or aspect, this transmission may occur directly,e.g., wirelessly, between the safety device 10 and the remote processorand/or indirectly between the safety device 10 and the remote processor,such as by transmission from the safety device 10 to the control module(CM) (e.g., over the power/communication line (CL), wherein the controlmodule (CM) transmits this information or data to the remote processorusing the communication device (CD) of the control module (CM).

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safetydevice 10 includes at least one communication interface 27, which isprogrammed or configured to transmit, receive, and/or process signalsdirectly, indirectly, wirelessly, over a communication line, e.g.,power/communication line (CL), and/or the like. This at least onecommunication interface 27 may be in direct or indirect communicationwith or controlled by the processor 24, and further, may provide for thecommunication between the safety device 10 and the control module (CM),i.e., the processor (P) of the control module (CM). Accordingly, in onepreferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the at least oneprocessor 24 is local to the safety device 10 and programmed orconfigured to process and transmit, via the at least one communicationinterface 27, at least one of the following: thermal imaging data, alarmdata, alarm mode data, motion data, safety device data, user data, orany combination thereof. Again, this information and data may betransmitted to the control module (CM) over the power/communication line(CL) and/or to some other remote system.

In addition, some or all of the components of the safety device 10 areattached to, located within, integrated with, and/or associated with ahousing 26, which is sized and shaped so as to be held and operated bythe user while engaged in the desired activity. In one preferred andnon-limiting embodiment or aspect, the safety device 10 includes atleast one control arrangement 16 (e.g., a button, a touch interface, ajoystick, an actuating member, a scroll member, and/or the like)programmed or configured to facilitate direct or indirect interactionwith or control of the user interface 14. For example, the at least onecontrol arrangement 16 can be positioned on or associated with thehousing 26.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and referring toFIG. 3, one or more walls 30 may be positioned on or integrated with thehousing 26, such as the face 32 (or front area) of the housing 26. Thesewalls 30 may at least partially surround one or more of the componentson the face 32 of the housing 26, such as the air pressure gauge 12, theuser interface 14, one or more of the control arrangements 16, and/orany other component of the safety device 10. In one application, thewalls 30 provide a projecting rim that can help shield some or all ofthese components so the user can more easily view the air pressure gauge12, the user interface 14, and/or the like. In another embodiment, atleast a portion of the walls 30 are sized, shaped, and/or coated tofacilitate viewing through the mask (M) by the user. In someembodiments, the walls 30 are sized, shaped, and/or coated to facilitatecontact with the face shield of the mask (M), which would provideoptimal viewing advantages. Alternatively, some or all of the safetydevice 10 can be positioned in a sleeve or boot (not shown), which wouldprovide additional protection of the various components of the safetydevice 10, e.g., the air pressure gauge 12, the user interface 14, thecontrol arrangements 16, portions of the thermal imaging unit 20, and/orthe like. Such a sleeve or boot would provide a rugged, sealed cover forthe safety device 10, which would be beneficial in many environments andapplications in which the safety device 10 is employed.

It should be recognized that the user interface 14 may be used todisplay any of the information or data that is generated by, related to,or associated with any component of the SCBA, including the safetydevice 10. Therefore, the user interface 14 may display any informationor data (in raw and/or processed form) that is generated by or derivedfrom any of the following: the mask (M), the control module (CM), theair cylinder (AC), the safety device 10, the air pressure gauge 12, acontrol arrangement 16, the alarm system 18, the thermal imaging unit20, the processor 24, the motion sensor 29, the alarm member 28, or anycombination thereof.

As is known, first responders spend at least a portion of their time ontheir hands and knees while engaged in their activities, e.g.,firefighting, because it reduces the exposure of the responder to hightemperatures, as well as allows a safer ingress/egress from the scene.When in this position/orientation, the responder is less likely to tripand fall, or encounter unknown obstacles in a dangerous fashion.Accordingly, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and withreference to FIG. 4, the thermal imaging unit 20 includes a lens 21 thatis oriented at an angle that is optimized to allow the user to view thescene, while still maintaining the most beneficial body position tosimultaneously view the air pressure gauge 12 and/or the user interface14 (which would display the visual data that is generated by the thermalimaging unit 20). In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment oraspect, the lens 21 (i.e., the field-of-view 22) is oriented in adirection substantially parallel with a longitudinal length of thehousing 26, which provides an optimal orientation when the user is inthe crawling position.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and asillustrated in FIG. 3, the lens 21 may be oriented at an angle ±X° withrespect to the horizontal (or longitudinal) length (i.e., 0°) of thesafety device 10, e.g., the housing 26, where X may be less than orequal to 45, and preferably less than or equal to 30, and morepreferably less than or equal to 15. In addition, this optimal angle maybe a result of manufacturing or rigidly positioning the thermal imagingunit 20 and/or the lens 21 in a set, i.e., non-adjustable, position,which requires the user to move the entire safety device 10 to changethe field-of-view 22. It should also be recognized that the thermalimaging unit 20 and/or the lens 21 may be rigidly or adjustably orientedat an angle ±Y° with respect to vertical (i.e., 0°), as illustrated inFIG. 4, where Y may be less than or equal to 90, and preferably lessthan or equal to 60, and more preferably less than or equal to 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and in another preferred andnon-limiting embodiment or aspect, one or more adjustment members 36 maybe included that provide the user with the ability to manually adjustthe angles X and/or Y to a desired position. These adjustment members 36may take form of a rotatable knob, a ratchet device, a lockingarrangement, a push-button arrangement, and/or the like, and further,these adjustment members 36 may be positioned at any area or location onthe housing 26. Further, it is envisioned that the user may use the userinterface 14 to move the lens 21 and/or adjust the field-of-view 22 to adesired position. As also illustrated in FIG. 4, a shield 38 may beincluded or integrated with the housing 26, wherein the shield 38 ispositioned to at least partially surround the lens 21. Accordingly, theshield 38 will provide protection to the lens 21 as the user traverses adifficult environment, often on his or her hands and knees.

In one example, the user may view the safety device 10 (e.g., the airpressure gauge 12) at about a 30°-50° angle to the horizontal, while theuser interface 14 (and, thus, the thermal imaging data) may besubstantially planar to the horizontal, which results in a general angleof 45° of slope from the field-of-view 22 to the user interface 14.Accordingly, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,it is the angle of the lens 21, i.e., the field-of-view 22, that can beoptimized, whether rigidly (where the optimization is based upon themost typical viewing angles of the safety device 10) or adjustably(where the user may manually and/or automatically adjust the view angle,such as by using the adjustment member 36). Alternatively, the airpressure gauge 12 and/or the user interface 14 may be sloped or slantedat a specified angle with respect to the face 32 of the housing 26.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, and when theinformation and data generated by or derived from the thermal imagingunit 20 and the information and data generated by or derived from othercomponents of the SCBA (including the other components of the safetydevice 10) are displayed on the same user interface 14 (i.e., the samescreen), the safety device 10, itself, may be used to toggle between thetype of information and data displayed. For example, the processor 24may be programmed or configured to change the specific information ordata displayed (and/or the data stream) based at least partially on theoutput (or motion data) of the motion sensor 29. For example, the safetydevice 10 may be rotated through its longitudinal axis, which activatesor impacts the motion sensor 29, and which movement may be used toswitch between displays or modes. Of course, any type of movement of thesafety device 10 may be sensed and translated into a variety of displaychanges and/or interactions. Movement between display modes orinformation- or data-types may be implemented using one or more of thecontrol arrangements 16 discussed above. Further, it is envisioned thatswitching between display modes, interacting with the user interface 14,and/or control any of the components of the safety device 10 may occurthrough voice command, e.g., direct or indirect data communicationbetween a transducer in the mask (M) and the safety device 10 and/or thecontrol module (CM), such as through the communication device (CD).

In a still further preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, themotion sensor 29 may be used to determine the orientation of the safetydevice 10. It is recognized that a color user interface 14 (which wouldbe beneficial for effectively viewing the thermal imaging data) mayincrease usage of the power device (PD), e.g., the battery. Accordingly,in this embodiment, and to minimize the loss of power when not in use,the user interface 14 may be temporarily shut down (or go in to some“low power” state) when the safety device 10 is in a non-useorientation, e.g., pointing down and away from the user. This “shutdown” function may also occur only when the safety device 10 is in anon-use orientation for a specified period of time. Alternatively, ifcertain components of the safety device 10 are static or unused for aspecified period of time, this “shut down” function may also beimplemented. Further, a simple movement of the safety device 10 (e.g,twisting the device, as discussed above), orientation of the safetydevice 10 (e.g., positioning the device in a “viewing” angle), and/orother specified interaction with the safety device 10 (e.g., interactingwith the control arrangement 16) may cause the user interface 14 topower up. In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,the user interface 14 can be utilized in both modes simultaneously, suchas where the general SCBA information or data is overlaid on the thermalimaging data.

Accordingly, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect,the at least one processor 24 is programmed or configured to initiate atleast one of a no-power or low-power state based at least partially onat least one of the following: a specified movement of the user, a voicecommand of the user, a specified orientation of the safety device 10, aspecified period of a specified orientation, a specified period ofnon-use or non-interaction, a specified period of non-use ornon-interaction of a specified component of the safety device 10, or anycombination thereof. Further, the at least one processor 24 may beprogrammed or configured to initiate a power or power-up state based atleast partially on at least one of the following: a specified movementof the user, a voice command of the user, a specified orientation of thesafety device 10, a specified period of a specified orientation, use ofor interaction with the safety device 10; use of or interaction with aspecified component of the safety device 10, or any combination thereof.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the safety device 10is in direct or indirect communication with one or more of thecommunication devices (CD) (e.g., a short-range radio, a long-rangeradio, and/or the like). In particular, some or all of the thermalimaging data (whether in raw or processed form) can be transmitted to acentral controller, such as a command and control base station. Thisthermal imaging data may be sent continuously, periodically, on command,as a “live” stream, and/or the like. This would allow a remote user,e.g., the fire chief or other personnel, to view the thermal imagingdata from the safety device 10 without the need for additional radiocommunication links, such as would be required for existing handheldthermal imaging cameras. While it is recognized that such a telemetryarrangement would require higher bandwidth than normal existingcommunications, this embodiment would represent an intrinsically safeand explosion-proof telemetry methodology.

It is further recognized that the environments at or around the sceneare often a noisy place, and with additional head protection andcommunications partially or fully covering the ears of the user, hearingor determining the location or direction of an alarm condition of aspecific safety device 10 can be difficult. With reference to FIG. 4,and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect, one ormore infrared light emitting members 40 (e.g., strobe lights) may bepositioned on the housing 26 and configured to emit infrared light,which may be received by or sensed by another safety device 10 ofanother user. In this embodiment, the thermal imaging unit 20 of anothersafety device 10 of another user can be used to search for the infraredlight emitted from these infrared light emitting members 40. Therefore,the safety device 10 that is in an alarm condition, e.g., the user is indistress, can be more easily located by other users/rescuers. Inaddition, it is envisioned that the strength of the infrared signal fromthe infrared light emitting members 40 can be used to determine thedistance or proximity to the downed person. Still further, theseinfrared light emitting members 40 may be configured to emit infraredlight in a strobe pattern, a specified pattern, a configurable pattern,a user-controlled pattern, and/or the like. By using varying patterns,additional information or data may be conveyed between the safetydevices 10, which may be indicative of different states, e.g., in analarm state, proximity to a dangerous environment, and/or any otherinformation or data generated by or stored on the safety device 10.

One preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a safety device10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 5-12, where the at least one lens 21 is oriented ata downward angle with respect to the horizontal length of the housing26, and another preferred and non-limiting embodiment or aspect of asafety device in accordance with the principles of the present inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 13-20, where the at least one lens 21 isoriented parallel (i.e., 0°) with respect to the horizontal length ofthe housing 26.

In this manner, provided is an improved safety device 10 for an SCBA, aswell as an improved SCBA.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety device for a self-contained breathingapparatus having at least one air cylinder configured to deliverregulated air through an air hose via a first regulator module; and amask configured to be worn by a user, the mask having a second regulatormodule configured to deliver air from an air hose to an internal area ofthe mask, the safety device comprising: an air pressure gauge configuredto indicate air pressure information or data to the user; a thermalimaging unit comprising: (i) at least one lens having a field-of-view;and (ii) at least one thermal sensor configured to output signalsrepresentative of thermal energy; and a user interface programmed orconfigured to display information or data to the user; wherein at leastone local or remote processor is programmed or configured to directly orindirectly communicate with and/or control at least one of thefollowing: the air pressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the userinterface, or any combination thereof.
 2. The safety device of claim 1,further comprising at least one alarm system programmed or configured togenerate alarm data based upon input data from at least one of thefollowing: at least one component of the self-contained breathingapparatus, at least one component of the safety device, or anycombination thereof.
 3. The safety device of claim 2, wherein the atleast one alarm system comprises at least one alarm member comprising atleast one of the following: a structural element configured to receiveinput from at least one user to generate alarm data; a lighting elementconfigured to provide visual alarm data to the at least one user when inan alarm mode, a speaker element configured to provide aural alarm datato the at least one user when in alarm mode, or any combination thereof.4. The safety device of claim 2, further comprising at least one motionsensor programmed or configured to generate motion data, wherein, basedat least partially on the motion data, the at least one alarm system atleast one of enters an alarm mode and generates alarm data.
 5. Thesafety device of claim 2, wherein, based at least partially on theoutput signals from the thermal imaging unit, the at least one alarmsystem at least one of enters an alarm mode and generates alarm data. 6.The safety device of claim 1, further comprising at least one infraredlight emitting member configured to emit infrared light, which may bereceived or sensed by another safety device.
 7. The safety device ofclaim 6, wherein the infrared light is emitted in at least one of thefollowing: a strobe pattern, a specified pattern, a configurablepattern, a user-controlled pattern, or any combination thereof.
 8. Thesafety device of claim 1, further comprising at least one controlelement programmed or configured to facilitate direct or indirectinteraction with or control of at least one component of the safetydevice.
 9. The safety device of claim 1, further comprising at least onecommunication interface programmed or configured to transmit, receive,and/or process signals in at least one of the following manners:directly, indirectly, wirelessly, over a communication line, or anycombination thereof.
 10. The safety device of claim 9, wherein the atleast one processor is local to the safety device and programmed orconfigured to process and transmit, via the at least one communicationinterface, at least one of the following: thermal imaging data, alarmdata, alarm mode data, motion data, safety device data, user data, orany combination thereof.
 11. The safety device of claim 1, furthercomprising a housing having at least one wall or rim at least partiallysurrounding at least one of the following: the air pressure gauge, theuser interface, at least one control element programmed or configured tofacilitate direct or indirect interaction with or control of at leastone component of the safety device, or any combination thereof.
 12. Thesafety device of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens is oriented in adirection substantially parallel with a longitudinal length of a housingof the safety device.
 13. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one lens is oriented in a direction of ±X° along a horizontalplane extending through a longitudinal length of a housing of the safetydevice, wherein X is in the range of about 0 to about
 45. 14. The safetydevice of claim 1, wherein the orientation of the at least one lens isat least one of the following: manually adjustable by the user,automatically adjustable, automatically adjustable using the userinterface, automatically adjustable using at least one control element,or any combination thereof.
 15. The safety device of claim 14, whereinthe at least one lens is adjustable in a direction of ±Y° along avertical plane extending through a longitudinal length of a housing ofthe safety device, wherein Y is in the range of about 0 to about
 90. 16.The safety device of claim 1, further comprising a housing having atleast one shield configured to at least partially surround the at leastone lens.
 17. The safety device of claim 1, wherein the information ordata displayed on the user interface can be modified by at least one ofthe following: the user's movement of the safety device, the user'svoice command, or any combination thereof.
 18. The safety device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is programmed or configuredto initiate at least one of a no-power or low-power state based at leastpartially on at least one of the following: a specified movement of theuser, a voice command of the user, a specified orientation of the safetydevice, a specified period of a specified orientation, a specifiedperiod of non-use or non-interaction, a specified period of non-use ornon-interaction of a specified component of the safety device, or anycombination thereof.
 19. The safety device of claim 18, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed or configured to initiate a power-onor power-up state based at least partially on at least one of thefollowing: a specified movement of the user, a voice command of theuser, a specified orientation of the safety device, a specified periodof a specified orientation, use of or interaction with the safetydevice, use of or interaction with a specified component of the safetydevice, or any combination thereof.
 20. The safety device of claim 1,wherein the at least one processer comprises at least one of thefollowing: an existing processor of the safety device, an existingprocessor of the thermal imaging unit, a remote processor in direct orindirect communication with the safety device, an existing processor ofat least one component of the self-contained breathing apparatus, anexisting processor of a control module of the self-contained breathingapparatus.
 21. A self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising: atleast one air cylinder configured to deliver regulated air through anair hose via a first regulator module; a mask configured to be worn by auser, the mask having a second regulator module configured to deliverair from an air hose to an internal area of the mask; a control module,including: (i) a power device configured to provide power to at leastone component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; (ii) aprocessor programmed or configured to communicate with and/or control atleast one component of the self-contained breathing apparatus; and (iii)a communication device programmed or configured to facilitate directand/or indirect, wired and/or wireless data communications between theprocessor and the at least one component of the self-contained breathingapparatus; and a safety device comprising: an air pressure gaugeconfigured to indicate air pressure information or data to the user; athermal imaging unit comprising: (i) at least one lens having afield-of-view; and (ii) at least one thermal sensor configured to outputsignals representative of thermal energy; and a user interfacepositioned on a housing of the safety device and programmed orconfigured to display information or data to the user; wherein at leastone local or remote processor is programmed or configured to directly orindirectly communicate with and/or control at least one of thefollowing: the air pressure gauge, the thermal imaging unit, the userinterface, or any combination thereof.